Bessel beam spectral-domain high-resolution optical coherence tomography with micro-optic axicon providing extended focusing range

Endoscopic imaging in tubular structures, such as the tracheobronchial tree, could benefit from imaging optics with an extended depth of focus (DOF) to accommodate the varying sizes of tubular structures across patients and along the tree within the same patient. Yet the extended DOF needs to be accomplished without sacrificing resolution while maintaining sufficient sensitivity and speed of imaging. In this Letter, we report on the measured resolution and sensitivity achieved with a custom-made micro-optic axicon lens designed to theoretically achieve an 8 mm DOF. A measured invariant resolution of approximately 8 microm is demonstrated across a 4 mm measured DOF using the micro-optic axicon while achieving an invariant sensitivity of approximately 80 dB with a 25 mW input power. Double-pass Bessel beam spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with an axicon micro-optic lens (i.e., <1 mm in diameter) is, for the first time to our knowledge, demonstrated in a biological sample demonstrating invariant resolution and signal-to-noise ratio across a 4 mm measured DOF, which is compared to Gaussian beam imaging.     

轴对称矢量光束聚焦特性研究现状及其应用

轴对称矢量光束是一种空间非均匀偏振光束, 中心光强为零, 经物镜聚焦后能在焦点附近产生空间场分量. 在高变迹系数光学系统成像情况下, 与线偏光、圆偏光相比, 径向偏振光与光瞳滤波技术及图像复原技术结合, 能获得较小焦斑, 提高横向分辨力. 介绍了轴对称矢量光束的特性, 基于电偶极子辐射模型和矢量衍射理论研究了轴对称矢量光束经高数值孔径物镜聚焦后的特性, 系统介绍了基于轴对称矢量光束实现光斑紧聚焦的几种方法, 并简述了轴对称矢量光束在差动共焦超分辨成像领域的研究设想. 关键词： 差动共焦显微技术 紧聚焦 光瞳滤波 轴对称矢量光束     

Starch-based second-harmonic-generated collinear frequency-resolved optical gating pulse characterization at the focal plane of a high-numerical-aperture lens

We report the use of starch as an ideal nonlinear medium with which to perform collinear frequency-resolved optical gating measurements of ultrashort pulses at the focal plane of a high-numerical-aperture (NA) lens. We achieved these measurements by simply sandwiching starch granules (suspended in water) between two coverslips and placing them within the focal plane of a high-NA lens. The natural nonlinear characteristics of starch allow the correct phase matching of pulses at the focal plane of a high-NA lens at different wavelengths. This elegant arrangement overcomes all the complexity and problems that were previously associated with pulse characterization within a multiphoton microscope.     

Demonstration of a no-moving-parts axial scanning confocal microscope using liquid crystal optics

For the first time, to the best of authors’ knowledge, a no-moving-parts axial scanning confocal microscope (ASCM) system is designed and demonstrated using a combination of a large diameter liquid crystal (LC) lens and a classical microscope objective lens. By electrically controlling the 5 mm diameter LC lens, the 633 nm wavelength focal spot is moved continuously over a 48 μm range with a measured 3-dB axial resolution of 3.1 μm using a 0.65 numerical aperture (NA) micro-objective lens. The ASCM is successfully used to image an Indium Phosphide (InP) twin square optical waveguide sample with a 10.2 μm waveguide pitch and 2.3 μm height and width. Using fine analog electrical control of the LC lens, a super-fine sub-wavelength axial resolution of 270 nm is demonstrated. The proposed ASCM can be useful in various precision three-dimensional (3D) imaging and profiling applications.     

一种快速测量共聚焦X射线分析装置探测微元尺寸方法

共聚焦X射线荧光技术是一种无损的三维光谱分析技术,在材料,生物,矿物样品分析,考古,证物溯源等领域具有广泛应用。共聚焦X射线荧光谱仪的核心部件为两个多毛细管X光透镜。一个为多毛细管X光会聚透镜（PFXRL）,其存在一后焦点,作用是把X光管所发出的发散X射线会聚成几十微米大小的高增益焦斑。另一透镜为多毛细管X光平行束透镜（PPXRL）,其存在一几十微米大小前焦点,置于X射线能量探测器前端,其作用是接收特定区域的X射线荧光信号。在共聚焦Ｘ射线荧光谱仪中,PFXRL的后焦点与PPXRL的前焦点重合,所形成的区域称作探测微元。只有置于探测微元区域的样品能够被谱仪检测到,使样品与探测微元相对移动,逐点扫描,便能够对样品进行三维无损的X射线分析。探测微元的尺寸决定共聚焦X射线荧光谱仪的空间分辨率,因此精确测量谱仪的探测微元的尺寸是非常重要的。如图1所示,谱仪探测微元可以近似为椭球体,其尺寸可以用水平方向分辨率X, Y,和深度分辨率Z表示。目前,常采用金属细丝或金属薄膜通过刀口扫描的方法测量谱仪探测微元尺寸。为了精确的从三个维度测量探测微元尺寸,金属细丝直径要小于探测微元尺寸。金属细丝和探测微元都是数十微米级别的尺寸大小,很难把金属靠近探测微元。为了得到探测微元在不同X射线能量下尺寸变化曲线,要采用多种金属细丝测量。采用单个金属细丝依次测量比较耗费时间。采用金属薄膜可以很方便地测量探测微元的深度分辨率Z,但是当测量水平分辨率X, Y时,难以准确测量。为了解决以上谱仪探测微元测量中存在的问题,本文提出采用多种金属丝平行粘贴在硬纸片上作为样品用于快速测量探测微元尺寸。附有金属细丝的硬纸片靠近谱仪探测微元,可以将探测微元置于硬纸片所在平面。由于硬纸片与金属细丝在同一水平面,在谱仪摄像头的协助下,可以把金属细丝迅速的靠近探测微元。靠近探测微元后,在全自动三维样品台的协助下,金属细丝沿两个方向对探测微元分别进行一次二维扫描。通过对二维扫描数据的处理便可以获得探测微元尺寸随入射X射线能量变化曲线。采用此方法对实验室所搭建的共聚焦X射线荧光谱仪的探测微元进行了测量。     

基于长焦区聚焦换能器的扫描光声乳腺成像技术

报道了一种利用长焦区聚焦超声换能器检测光声信号的扫描光声乳腺成像系统.通过增加聚焦换能器焦区的长度,该技术可以快速实现对大块组织(如乳腺)的光声成像.测试结果表明,该实验系统能够对大块模拟样品中吸收体的位置、尺寸以及光能量吸收情况实现较为准确的成像.另外,实验中,该系统还可便捷地与传统的超声技术相结合,从而实现多模式复合的乳腺癌诊断.初步结果显示了该技术路线在乳腺癌早期诊断应用上的前景. 关键词： 乳腺癌诊断 光声成像 扫描光声层析术 脉冲回波法     

基于透镜畸变效应的仿人眼扫描系统设计

仿人眼扫描具有旋转与尺度不变性、背景信息压缩及变分辨率信息采集等优点,但传统的仿人眼扫描方法存在系统结构复杂、扫描速度慢等缺点,提出一种基于透镜畸变实现扫描环增长,采用阿贝棱镜旋转实现对目标视场扫描的仿人眼扫描方法。利用透镜畸变对不同视场下入射光斑进行放大,进而实现仿人眼光斑结构。通过物像关系求解透镜初始参数,将仿人眼扫描光斑的环间增长系数作为透镜畸变优化目标函数,对透镜参数进行非球面优化,获得透镜结构参数。设计的仿人眼扫描系统焦距为14.24 mm,工作距离为25 mm。仿真结果表明:入射高度为20 mm的1×16线阵激光能够对直径为27.66 mm的像面实现16环仿人眼扫描,扫描光斑的最大环增长系数为1.08。相比于传统仿人眼扫描方式,此文提出的方法具有成本低、结构简单、扫描速度快等优点。     

Transverse superresolution with extended depth of focus using binary phase filters for optical storage system

This paper reports the study of superresolution and extension of depth of focus (DOF) of three-zone binary phase filters (BPFs) under high numerical aperture (NA) focusing. Two three-zone BPFs (BPF1 and BPF2) are specially designed to achieve transverse superresolution and extension of DOF simultaneously for the optical disc system with an objective lens of NA = 0.65. Numerical simulations based on the vectorial diffraction theory indicate that the transverse focal spot size of this system can be as small as that of NA = 0.85 and its DOF is as large as that of NA = 0.6 with acceptable Strehl ratios (> 0.4 for BPF1 and > 0.35 for BPF2) and low side-lobe intensity ratios (< 10%) by using these BPFs. It suggests that the storage capacity of this optical storage system may be improved to the same as that of a system with an objective lens of NA = 0.85. Moreover, the strict requirement of the focusing servo system caused by decreasing wavelength or employing higher NA objective lens can be mitigated. Therefore, these BPFs presented in this paper should be highly interesting for applications of high density optical data storage.     

Terahertz electrically controlled nematic liquid crystal lens

We report some preliminary results on the realization of terahertz (THz) nematic liquid crystal (LC) lens with electric tunable focal length. A LC cell with a single circular-hole electrode is driven by an AC voltage to yield the desired spatial distribution of the refractive index. The two-dimensional function of the phase delay introduced into THz wave depends on the AC voltage and the electrodes contacting the LC layer. This lens is operated at room temperature and its convergent optical characteristic is demonstrated at 118 μm. We realize the lens with a clear aperture of 1 mm. The lens matched with a bolometer array is capable of obtaining real-time THz images of a sample without any mechanical scanning.     

反射式光纤共焦扫描成像的研究

建立了反射式光纤共焦扫描成像系统,分析了光纤－集光透镜参数Ａ及物透镜有效数值孔径等对系统成像分辨率的影响。并在此基础上选择了合适参数的透镜,获得了优化的反射式光纤共焦扫描成像系统,测试结果表明,该系统具有亚微米级横向成像能力,微米级向层析能力,成像稳定性那,它将应用于材料及生物组织三维成像检测中。     

水下同步扫描三角测距成像理论建模及仿真分析

针对激光同步扫描三角测距成像系统水下应用时,考虑不同介质界面的折射效应,通过理论建模,得出水下同步扫描三角测距成像系统的空间三维坐标测量关系表达式。分析了基线距离、接收透镜焦距等系统主要参数对距离测量分辨率的影响,以及成像探测器长度对测量范围的影响。仿真结果表明:增大基线距离和接收透镜焦距,有利于提高距离测量分辨率,增加成像探测器长度,有利于增大系统测量范围,为水下同步扫描三角测距成像系统的设计提供了理论依据。     

基于数字微镜的快速轴向扫描系统

为解决双光子荧光显微成像系统轴向扫描问题,提出一种基于数字微镜(DMD)的快速轴向扫描系统。该系统采用DMD选择光路,不同光路放置不同焦距的透镜组对光束发散角产生不同的改变,经物镜聚焦后得到不同深度的轴上扫描点。对该系统的轴向扫描距离、扫描点位置及衍射效率进行了理论计算仿真,结果表明:扫描系统采用4个模块以及5个模块时其轴向扫描距离均可达到1 mm,4模块系统中透镜的焦距为297.3 mm,5模块系统中透镜焦距为361.47 mm。轴向扫描点除边缘点外线性分布, 轴向扫描频率达到几十kHz,满足脑神经成像的要求。     

Formation of sub-half-wavelength focal spot with ultra long depth of focus

We theoretically demonstrate the creation of sub-wavelength focal spot with ultra long depth of focus (DOF) non-diffracting. To achieve a sub-half-wavelength focal spot (0.4λ) with modulation, extended DOF (over 9.5λ) in vacuum, an integration of amplitude phase encoding, cylindrical polarization and the combination of dual-beams is utilized. Further analysis also predicts that a flattop intensity distribution along z axis can be observed around the ideal focus point.     

波前编码显微物镜景深扩展的研究

为了解决传统显微物镜景深与分辨率的矛盾,采用波前编码的方法,设计研究了波前编码的10倍显微物镜,结合传统光学设计软件,采用基于MTF一致性的相位板参数的优化方法,实现了在像面附近一定范围内系统的点扩散函数一致性;此外,还设计了扩展三次相位编码板的10倍显微物镜,比较了采用两种不同相位板系统的焦深扩展的效果,结果显示三次相位板的焦深扩展效果较好,可以将传统10倍显微物镜的焦深扩展15倍。成像模拟仿真结果显示滤波后的编码像在±15倍焦深范围内成像清晰,从而扩大了系统的景深。     

非球面液滴微透镜固化控制和焦斑测量研究

利用电场改变液滴透镜的面形得到非球面,并实时检测其面形和焦斑图像,在适当的时候用紫外光固化液滴制作具有良好光学性能的非球面微透镜.比较了非球面液滴微透镜在固化前后面形、焦斑的变化和对透镜性能的影响,讨论了液滴透镜在固化过程中变形的机理和相应的解决方法.用分辨率50 nm的光斑探针扫描仪精确测量了固化后的非球面微透镜的聚焦光斑,测得了光斑轴向分布曲线和均方根直径3.384μm的聚焦光斑,经图像处理计算了透镜的点扩散函数和光学传递函数,评价了所制作的非球面微透镜的聚光和成像能力,并给出了透镜的实际成像图像,对于完善高品质非球面微透镜及其阵列的制作工艺具有重要意义.     

Depth of focus enhancement of a modified imaging quasi-fractal zone plate

We propose a new parameter w for optimization of foci distribution of conventional fractal zone plates (FZPs) with a greater depth of focus (DOF) in imaging. Numerical simulations of DOF distribution on axis directions indicate that the values of DOF can be extended by a factor of 1.5 or more by a modified quasi-FZP. In experiments, we employ a simple object–lens–image-plane arrangement to pick up images at various positions within the DOF of a conventional FZP and a quasi-FZP, respectively. Experimental results show that the parameter w improves foci distribution of FZPs in good agreement with theoretical predictions.     

电磁电子透镜光学参量的计算公式

用假设弱透镜焦距表达式是一个幂级数中的第一项的方法,可以导出相当准确且便于实用的电磁电子透镜物镜焦距公式。这个外推了的弱透镜近似公式能在即使相当强的激励下仍保持准确。这个方法也能用于其他一些光学参量。对于不能用此方法的光学参量,本文也导出了实用的经验公式。式中的常数是用前人发表的数据确定的。公式的准确度足够满足电子光学设计要求。     

激光共聚焦近红外荧光扫描系统光学设计

为了实现对近红外荧光的高分辨率扫描,设计了工作在近红外光谱区的激光共聚焦光学系统。采用结构简单的凹凸双透镜物镜实现了照明光路和发射光路的设计,并采用Zemax软件进行了光学设计和仿真。实验表明:照明光路的聚焦弥散斑小于1 m,照明针孔处的聚焦光斑小于40 m,满足照明针孔的尺寸要求;发射针孔处的聚焦光斑小于10 m,满足探测针孔尺寸要求;同时照明光路和发射光路的MTF曲线的截止频率都分别满足其衍射极限分辨率的要求,照明光路在全视场空间分辨率420 lp/mm处MTF0.08,发射光路在全视场空间频率400 lp/mm处MTF0.07。     

手机成像系统的波前相位编码板光学特性的优化

设计了基于波前相位编码板的轻薄手机镜头,原始成像系统的焦深大小是0.017 mm,使用立方相位编码板,采用基于斯特列尔比的相位板优化方法,保持了在不同离焦位置成像系统MTF的稳定性,最终成像系统设计焦深达到0.136 mm,焦深扩展了8倍,经过Zemax软件仿真,验证了景深延拓的效果。设计结果表明,使用相位编码板即可增大定焦距手机系统的景深,使得系统结构紧凑,又克服了视场效应。     

Generation and tight-focusing properties of cylindrical vector circular Airy beams

Tight-focusing properties of cylindrical vector circular Airy beams [i.e., azimuthally polarized (AP) circular Airy beam and radially polarized (RP) circular Airy beam] passing through a high numerical aperture thin lens are investigated in detail. It is found that a super long subwavelength dark channel with full width at half maximum about 0.49λ and depth of focus (DOF) about 52λ can be achieved near the focal region for the case of tight focusing of an AP circular Airy beam, and a super long needle with DOF about 27.5λ of strong longitudinally polarized field can be obtained near the focal region for the case of tight focusing of a RP circular Airy beam. Furthermore, we report experimental generation of an AP circular Airy. Our results will be useful for atom guiding and trapping, particle acceleration and fluorescent imaging.